High-Observation Protocol Cuts Length of Stay in Head, Neck CA

FRIDAY, July 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A high-observation protocol (HOP) appears to optimize clinical care for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing primary surgery, according to a study published online June 20 in Head & Neck.

Brittany Barber, M.D., from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and colleagues compared patients with head and neck cancer undergoing primary surgery on the high-observation protocol (52 patients) to a historical cohort (96 patients). Differences in length of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, ICU readmissions, and length of stay were measured.